How to Perform Umrah with Disabled Persons?
Umrah is an act of spiritual and physical Ibadah (worship), In Islam Umrah has a set of rituals to perform in order to complete your Umrah that are wearing Ihram with Niyah (intention), Tawaf around the Kaaba, Sa’i aka walking between the two holy hills, Safa and Marwa, and Tahallul. Going on this sacred journey with a disabled person requires great responsibility and requires careful planning to ensure their comfort and participation in these spiritual rites.
Performing Umrah with a disabled person involves not just support considerations but also a deep sense of empathy and support to them and to ensure accessible travel arrangements for providing physical assistance to them during rituals. Care and compassion come first when taking care of them during Umrah as they might need emotional support during these times to not feel any sort of complex regarding their disability. To add more to their support and if you are a pilgrim from USA, then look out for All-inclusive Umrah Packages from USA from a Travel agency as they can provide a package deal to cater to the disability of the person you are travelling with, making this sacred journey easier for them. As their family member, be mindful that they’re human beings too and should be looked after with care as you will be rewarded for it even more in the holy sites of Allah (S W T). As showing mercy has great reward
1 – Ihram: Putting on Ihram after Ghusl is an obligatory part of Umrah, First tell them about Niyah and then to help the disabled person, depending on their gender as Ihram is different for men and women, Men have two unstitched white clothes that are to be draped around their bodies while for women it is anything modest and loose-fitted, when assisting a disabled person with this first step, your role should be practical and deeply compassionate as helping a disabled person with the Ihram involves more than just ensuring the garments are worn correctly, but It’s about being sensitive to their comfort and dignity. Make sure you clothe them in a manner that is respectful and doesn’t mess with their dignity. As you help them with the Ihram, take a moment to share the intention together as this shared act of faith can be incredibly moving for them and you, you might softly recite the Niyah, feeling the weight of this sacred journey you are both about to undertake along with the responsibility of disabled person. Before booking the Umrah deals which are including the Hajj Umrah VISA from USA, you should know about the Ihram and its prohibitions. Your presence and assistance at this moment can provide immense comfort or discomfort, now that role depends on how you treat them and guide them about the rites.
2 – Tawaf: The next rite is Tawaf around the Kaaba, the act of circling the Kaaba seven times and that is one of the most spiritually profound rituals of Umrah. When accompanying a disabled person during Tawaf your support and empathy means a lot to them to make this experience as meaningful and memorable for both of you. As you approach the Kaaba to perform this ritual, the heart of the Tawaf, there’s an overwhelming sense and for a disabled person, navigating this crowded and bustling space can be daunting from their perspective but with your assistance, it can become a moment of deep connection and peace. If a wheelchair is needed, ensure it is comfortable and ready for use. It is said that many services in the Haram offer wheelchairs. As you begin the Tawaf, guide the wheelchair gently, making sure not the hurt any pilgrim and moving with the flow of pilgrims. The designated paths for wheelchairs are designed to ensure everyone can participate fully in this ritual by KSA. Be a good companion to them as your role in assisting with Tawaf goes beyond mere physical help, it is an act of love and service, it is a profound way to share in the blessings of this sacred act.
3 – Sa’i: Sa’i is to follow the footsteps of Hajar, The wife of Prophet Ibrahim (AS). Sa’i is to be performed between the two sacred hills, Safa and Marwa to follow the footsteps of Hajar as she ran in search of water to quench the thirst of her son, Ismael, when performing Sa’i with a disabled person make sure you offer your support and emotional care as it plays a crucial role in ensuring that they participate fully in this sacred ritual. It is said that this holy site area is well-equipped for accessibility, with designated paths for wheelchairs and ample space to move comfortably. This act is begun at Safa. Guide the wheelchair along the path towards Marwah. Throughout the journey, share the significance of this ritual with the person you are travelling with and help them reflect on Hajar’s story that how Allah (S W T) liked her act that it became a part of Umrah’s ritual and now millions of people follow her footsteps, admire her maternal love for her son that even amidst the hills she ran selflessly for her son’s sake.
4- Tahallul: Tahallul is the final act of Umrah, it involves cutting a small portion of your hair for women and cutting off entire hair or trimming hair for men. Assist the disabled person with this ritual in a comforting way.